Hallowed Halloween

Not being partial to witches or candy, I’ve had little use for Halloween.

But this one is different.

Maria has taken Tina Trick or Treating before going to work, leaving Tina and me to give out the treats.

We have two different gospel tracts, “Halloween Maze” and the four spiritual laws for children. Maria told Tina she can give three or four mini chocolate bars to each child, so Tina makes little piles of four bars and two tracts. We make sure the light is on.

Tina’s too excited to want supper, but I manage to get an odd assortment of foods into her–broccoli, butterscotch pudding and a tiny triangle of pizza.

Listen! There are children across the street!

But they don’t come to Tina’s house. Hearing more children across the street, I open the door and call out “Hi! Happy Halloween!”

Still no takers.

Tina and I pray for children to come, and soon little groups of two, three and four Halloweeners arrive at the door.

During a lull we notice there’s only one “Halloween Maze” tract left, and Tina asks me to read it to her. Then another group comes and the last tract goes.

Only when the giving is over does Tina remember that she, too, has candy, and shows me her stash.

2 responses to “Hallowed Halloween”

“Givers” not “getters”–well said. I read a study that demonstrated toddlers are happier when they give than when they receive, and it makes them especially happy when they give something of their own, rather than just passing things out.